Firefighters from each of the town's five fire districts took turns barbecuing and serving burgers and hot dogs while talking to senior citizens about fire safety.

Maureen Mullen said she enjoyed meeting and getting to know the newer firefighters. "We're very fortunate to have this sense of community in Enfield," Mullen said.

Don Ellis, an Enfield firefighter for 38 years, helps organize the picnic each year. He said the five departments work together to give back to the community, get to know some of the residents and talk about fire prevention and safety.

Ray Aiken, a former Shaker Pines fire chief, talked about how much the town has changed since his time as a fire chief. Aiken was the Shaker Pines chief for 35 years, from 1969 to 2004. Aiken said he had seen the Shaker Pines department transition from a rural department to one that now takes care of a district that includes the LEGO offices, state prisons, and the Hallmark card distribution center.

Aiken said shared a memory of a time when he got lost on a trip with his family. "We got lost so we stopped at a fast food restaurant and asked for directions. They didn't know where we were going. Then we stopped at a post office. They couldn't help. So sure enough, we stop at the first firehouse we see and they get us in the right direction," he said.